Next Gen Srivathsan Bhattar anchors the Jeshtaabhisekam and Garuda Sevai on the occasion of Aadi Ekadasi
It is one of the biggest days in the year at the Bhaktavatsala Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Kannamangai, a temple praised by Thiru Mangai Azhvaar, who says that he found the mighty ocean, the powerful bull, the penance of the rishis, heap of pearls, the soul of devotees, the love of his heart and the sweet sugarcane - all at Kannamangai.
பெரும் புறக் கடலை அடல் ஏற்றினை
பெண்ணை ஆணை
எண் இல் முனிவர்க்கு அருள் தரும் தவத்தை
முத்தின் திரள் கோவையை
பத்தர் ஆவியை நித்திலத் தொத்தினை
அரும்பினை அலரை அடியேன் மணத்தாசையை
அமுதம் பொதி இன் சுவையை
கரும்பினை கனியை சென்று நாடி
கண்ணமங்கையுள் கண்டு கொண்டேனே - Periya Thirumozhi 7-10-1
Ramaswamy Bhattachar's Inspiration
The occasion is Aadi Ekadasi and the annual day of Jeshtabhisekam for the tall standing Moolavar Perumal. For several decades, PK Ramaswamy Bhattachar, who passed away last year, had been the face of the temple for all the devotees with his unflinching devotional commitment in the most challenging of times in the second half of the previous century. While he had physical age related challenges past 80, he continued to be a great source of strength for his son Pakshirajan Raju Bhattar who quit his job to take up the archaka kainkaryam last decade. He would come to the temple in the morning and sit at the mandapam overseeing the Kainkaryam of his son.
When his grandson Srivathsan Bhattar took over charge as the archaka a couple of years ago immediately after completing his agama education at the Kudavasal Patshala, it was a great moment for him. One generation had suffered in the aftermath of political intervention in temples and Ramaswamy Bhattachar was delighted when his grandson decided to continue the archaka service at this Divya Desam.
Srivathsan had told this writer in January 2022 while he was still undergoing his agama initiation that his Thatha was the real inspiration behind his decision to join the temple even though there was going to be not much money on offer as salary from the HRCE “Even when I was in class III, I was present for the entire Brahmotsavam along with my Thatha. He had created such an interest in me in Divya Desam Kainkaryam that my interest was to be at the temple all the time. I would get away from the class and support my Thatha on the Brahmotsavam days."
While Ramaswamy Bhattachar passed away last year, for the young Srivathsan Bhattar, in his 20s, this was an important day to showcase to his Thatha, who was watching him from above, that he could take up the huge responsibility of conducting the Jeshtabhisekam and make it a success.
In the evening, even while a Kutcheri was being presented in the Prakara, Srivathsan Bhattar got down to decorating Bhakthavatsala Perumal atop the Garuda Vahana. While he had learnt the agama and has now begun to handle the Brahmotsavam as well on his own, he has taken a liking to decorating the Lord. It is 6pm and he has draped the red coloured vastram around the Lord’s vehicle- Garuda.
After mounting Bhakthavatsala Perumal atop the Garuda, for almost two hours, he undertook the process of presenting his favourite Perumal with a beautiful alankaram.
A good sized devotee crowd had gathered in the North Prakara to listen to the Kutcheri and they were eagerly awaiting the opening of the screen to have a first glance at the Perumal providing Garuda Sevai. And much to their delight, they saw a grand alankaram of the handsome looking Bhakthavatsala Perumal with colourful flower garlands, glittering jewellery and a crown.
எங்களுக்கு அருள் செய்கின்ற ஈசனை
வாச வார் குழலாள் மலை மங்கை தன் பங்கனைப்
பங்கில் வைத்து உகந்தான் தன்னை
பான்மையை பனி மா மதியம் தவழ்
மன்குலை சுடரை வட மா மலை உச்சியை
நச்சி நாம் வணங்கப்படும் கங்குலை
பகலைச் சென்று நாடி
கண்ணமங்கையுள் கண்டு கொண்டேனே
As the clock ticked to 9.30pm on Saturday, following the presentation of prasadam to the devotees, the Sripatham Personnel carried the Perumal to the Eastern entrance where they mounted him on to the wheeled vehicle. All around the four streets, residents came out of their homes to present Thattu and seek the blessings of the Lord atop the Golden Garuda Vahana. For Srivathsan Bhattar, it had been a long day but unmindful of the tiredness he was the one who came with the Perumal on the procession patiently receiving the Thattu from the devotees and presenting the deeparathanai in front of every home.
Pattu is past 60 and has been the one carrying the Theevatti at the processions of Bhakthavatsala Perumal. She is a weak figure but the devotional strength is high and for an hour and a half she was the one lighting up the camphor for the deeparathanai. She doesn’t get any financial returns for her service but that does not deter her from doing what she likes and considers it a blessing to be carrying the Theevatti on such an auspicious occasion.
After mounting the Perumal on to the tyred vehicle, the focus light facing the devotees was turned on. Unfortunately, this proved as a distraction to the devotees as it hit them in the eyes. As the procession moved on to the South Street, the Sripatham member had an interesting answer to the devotees who raised this issue “It is okay if you are finding it a challenge to see the Lord. It is important for him to see you and that is the purpose of this procession”, he told them!!!
Goddess Lakshmi performed penance here to attain the Lord. It is believed that the Thirupaarkadal Lord called in his security Vishwakshena and asked him to suggest a good day for their wedding. Legend has it that all the Devas congregated here to witness the wedding. They were so overwhelmed on seeing the Lord and Goddess Lakshmi together that they took the form of bees and decided to stay here ever after. To this day, one can find the bees in the Thaayar Sannidhi - a unique feature of this Divya Desam.
திருத்தனை திசை நான் முகன் தந்தையை
தேவ தேவனை மூவரில் முன்னிய விருத்தனை
விளங்கும் சுடர் சோதியை
விண்ணை மண்ணினை கண்ணுதல் கூடிய அருத்தனை
அரியை பரி கீறிய அப்பனை
ஆப்பிலார் அழலாய் நின்ற கருத்தனை
களி வண்டறையும் பொழில்
கண்ணமங்கையுள் கண்டு கொண்டேனே
Thiru Mangai Azhvaar described the Lord as being surrounded by bee humming groves. Late into the night, one could not hear the humming of the bees, but the tall trees around the temple did flutter in the breeze in happiness of Bhaktavatsala Perumal's Garuda Sevai giving the Kainkaryaparas relief from the sweltering heat that had hit them earlier in the day. While the Prabhandham Ghoshti members were not present, the Nadaswaram artistes played the devotional tunes through the length of the processions around the four streets. It is almost close to 11.30pm when Bhakthavatsala Perumal made his way back to the temple via the Eastern Raja Gopuram. For his devotees, it had been a most enjoyable day having first experienced the Jeshtabhisekam and with this sacred day ending with the Garuda Sevai.
"In a world where the next gen has been moving into cities to work in the corporate space, my grandson Srivathsan has taken a great devotional interest in Divya Desam Kainkaryam. Given the scenario that existed then back in the 1970s and 80s, my two sons were not able to get into Patshala education and I was keen very early on that the new gen should continue and take forward this Divya Desam service”, Ramaswamy Bhattachar had told this writer in 2022. Late into Saturday night, his son Pakshirajan Raju Bhattar sported a big smile and there was delight in his face and a great satisfaction having watched the young 26 year Srivathsan Bhattar handle this mega event and taking ownership and responsibility for the festival on Saturday. And that augurs well for this remote Divya Desam.
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